Blacksburg claimed the top spot in the Group AA, While Christiansburg and Radford was fifth in Group AA and A, respectively. Cosby and George Mason finished first in Group AAA and A, respectively in the VHSL athletic competition for the 2011-12 school year, winning the coveted Wells Fargo Cup for Group AAA, AA and A.

The Wells Fargo Cup goes to the school in each group classification that has achieved the best overall record in VHSL state-level competition in 27 sports – the state champions’ state champion.

In Group AAA, Cosby, 11^th after the winter standings, used a strong spring season to win its first-ever Cup. Blacksburg returned to the top spot in Group AA and has won four of the past six years, while in Group A, George Mason earned its third Cup in four years and fourth overall.

Cups are presented for athletic and academic activities to the top school in each of the League’s enrollment groups. Westfield (AAA), Harrisonburg (AA) and Madison County (A) were announced earlier as 2011-12 winners for academic activities.

The winner of the Wells Fargo Cup is determined by a point system based on performance in state championship events. Points are awarded for all sanctioned sports in the following manner.

First place 50, Second place 45, Third Place 40, Fourth Place 35, Fifth place 30, Sixth place 25, Seventh place 20 and Eighth place 15.

In the event of a tie, the schools received an equal number of points based on the number of schools that tie and the number schools that finish higher in the standings. For example, the baseball quarterfinal losers equally divide total points for fifth through eighth place (22.5 points each) while semifinal losers split third and fourth place (37.5 points each).

Schools earning the League’s Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award earn 50 points each.

Cosby’s athletes scored a total of 327.5 points with Oakton finishing five points behind with 322.5 points. The Titans scored 212.5 points in the spring winning VHSL championships in girls soccer and softball and a runner-up in girls track, while picking up points in baseball, girls tennis and boys soccer. Cosby also added a VHSL title in cheer and a runner-up finish in girls indoor track. Oakton, champions in girls basketball, girls swimming and girls lacrosse also picked up additional points in softball, boys swimming, boys indoor track, girls cross country and boys cross country. Frank W. Cox, winners of a Group AAA record 12 Cups, finished third with 315 points. Cox claimed titles in boys swimming and gymnastics; a runner-up finish in boys volleyball, along with points in field hockey, girls soccer, girls tennis and boys tennis, while adding 50 points for the Claudia Dodson Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award. Langley, champions in golf, boys lacrosse and girls tennis, finished fourth with 270 points, while First Colonial, champions in field hockey, rounded out the top five with 235 points.

Blacksburg, who entered the spring in a tie for second place, finished with 380 points. The Bruins were VHSL champions in girls indoor track, girls and boys country; reached the semifinals in boys soccer, girls soccer and boys tennis and also earned points in girls track, girls tennis, boys swimming and golf. Runner-up Grafton earned 370 points, finishing second in field hockey and boys basketball, along with adding points in girls and boys cross country, football, girls basketball, boys and girls swimming, girls soccer, baseball and 50 points for the Claudia Dodson Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award. Rounding out the top five are E.C. Glass, champions in boys indoor track, boys outdoor track and girls tennis with 367.5 points; Western Albemarle, champions in golf, girls swimming and boys tennis with 337.5 points and Christiansburg, champions in boys basketball and wrestling, along with 50 points for the Claudia Dodson Sportsmanship, Ethics and Integrity Award, with 320 points.

In Group A, George Mason won with 315 points. The Mustangs, winners of three of the past four Cups, were champions in girls and boys cross country, girls basketball, girls soccer and boys tennis; claimed a runner-up finish in boys basketball and earned points in girls outdoor track. Runner-up Galax with 292.5 points won VHSL championships in golf, boys basketball, and baseball; a runner-up finish in football and semifinal finishes in volleyball and girls basketball, while earning points in boys soccer. Wilson Memorial finished third with 227.5 points. Manassas Park, champions in cheer and boy soccer, finished fourth with 207.5 points, while Radford, rounded out the top five with 182.5 points.

“We congratulate all the schools who competed in this year’s VHSL championship events,” said Ken Tilley, VHSL executive director. “We especially congratulate the best of the best, Cosby, Blacksburg and George Mason; and we thank Wells Fargo for supporting this important recognition.”

The Wells Fargo Cup winners will be recognized during VHSL Day at the University of Virginia vs. Wake Forest football game on Saturday, October 20 in Charlottesville.