VHS in the running for Lone Star Cup again


Lone star cup

By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Vandegrift High School is in the running for the 5A University Interscholastic League Lone Star Cup award again for the second year in a row. This year, the stiffest competition is coming from Grapevine High School in the Dallas area.

The UIL Lone Star Cup honors the best overall academic, athletic, theatrical and music programs in the state of Texas. The award goes to six high schools, from 1A to 6A, based on their team performance in district and state championships.

Vandegrift doubles team Meghan O’Malley and Gabriella Cusano claimed the first state UIL title in tennis for Vandegrift last week, and with that victory, VHS clinched the Lone Star Cup points for tennis.
As of Monday, the standings were 113 points for Vandegrift vs. 97 points for Grapevine. But Grapevine is still competing in One Act Play at the state level May 24 with “Death of a Salesman” and is still in the UIL playoffs for baseball. The 5A semifinals are June. 9 and the championship game will be June 10 at Dell Diamond.

“Academics are Monday – Wednesday of this week, and One Act Play for 5A is Tuesday. Eight plays are at state, and three get points. Their baseball team won 2 of 3 to advance, this is the week we will see what happens,” said Charlie Little, VHS principal. “If they don’t place, we are in great shape. If they get 8 or 10 points in One Act Play, it will make for a close race!”

Vandegrift had 76 points gathered throughout this school year and recently added 24 points for its golf championship, 8 points for district and regional academic championships and 5 points for its tennis championship. The state academic meet goes on this week.

Grapevine had 79 points gathered throughout the school year and recently added 2 points for softball, 8 points for district and regional academic championships and 8 points for baseball which earns two points per round win during the playoffs. Also this week One Act Play results will be in, with top three getting 10, 8 or 6 points at the state meet. The academic meet results will also be in this week with 10, 8, 6, 4 and 2 points to be given to the top teams.

Last year, VHS won the 2015 Lone Star Cup after Vandegrift set a school record with 94 UIL Lone Star Cup points after earning state championships in marching band, boys golf and girls swimming and diving. The Vipers were also state finalists in girls soccer, state semifinalists in football, placed in top five at state in girls golf and boys swimming and earned additional points in team tennis, boys basketball, boys soccer and academics.

Eighty-five to 90 percent of VHS students participate in extracurricular activities and that is an important factor in their overall success.

“It takes contributions from every student, teacher and coach in all facets of UIL competition to win this outstanding award,” said Charles Breithaupt, UIL executive director about last year’s award.