CHAPEL HILL—High school students in the spring semester earned over 9,000 individual awards for achievements in the classroom as well as on the playing court or athletic field.
The North Carolina High School Athletic Association made the awards in its Scholar-Athlete program presented by the North Carolina National Guard, which includes recognition of varsity teams that attain certain grades as well as individual athletes.
A total of 4,509 student-athletes earned the individual Scholar-Athlete award.
Individual Scholar-Athletes attained at least a 3.5 grade point average for the semester in which he or she competed. The award is based on first semester grades for fall and winter sports and second semester grades for spring sports, and the school submits the nomination form verifying the grade point average on behalf of the athlete or team.
In the team division, a varsity team earns Scholar-Athlete recognition by attaining a 3.1 aggregate GPA for that designated semester. The school receives a certificate from the Association honoring the accomplishment and each member of the squad will also receive a certificate. A total of 4,896 individual awards were given in this category, and 245 varsity teams captured team honors.
A minimum of five individuals is necessary to constitute a team, and all team members must be included in figuring the team GPA. The team achieving the highest grade point average in the state in its particular sport and submitting its application by the appropriate deadline receives a plaque commemorating that achievement.
"We are extremely proud of the achievements of the student-athletes recognized in this way," said Que Tucker, NCHSAA interim commissioner. "Our Scholar-Athlete program clearly shows that we have a large number of athletes who are both participating in our athletic programs and succeeding in the classroom."
Weddington earned three awards for the top GPA in the state and Wilkes Central teams captured two top honors.
The Scholar-Athlete recognition has been a part of the NCHSAA program for over 25 years.
NCHSAA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE TEAM AWARD WINNERS
NCHSAA Spring Sports 2015
Presented by the North Carolina National Guard
Softball West Wilkes 3.700
Baseball Asheboro 3.687
Men's Tennis Wilkes Central 3.830
Women's Soccer Wilkes Central 3.732
Men's Track Weddington 3.580
Women's Track Community School of Davidson 3.840
Men's Golf N.C Science and Math 3.760
Women's Lacrosse Weddington 3.610
Men's Lacrosse Weddington 3.360