BC athletics earns state’s top excellence award, again

It may have been a new league for Boulder City athletics in the 2012-13 school year, but it was still the same result of excellence.

On May 31, the Boulder City Athletic Department received the Division 1-A Award of Excellence in Academics, Athletics and Citizenship for the 2012-13 school year from the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association.

It is the fourth straight year the school has earned the award, which is given out for each of the state’s four classifications.

The Eagles scored 3,103 points through the year to edge Faith Lutheran by 200 points. The Eagles and Crusaders scored 950 and 960 points, respectively, in the spring season and each had 490 academic points. The Eagles held the edge throughout the fall and winter athletics seasons.

Elko placed third overall with 2,179 total points, followed by Clark and Lowry, which tied for fourth-place with 1,790 points.

“It is a great accomplishment for Boulder City to win this award again, especially in the new Division I-A,” Athletic Director Regina Quintero said. “It means that we are not only able to participate competitively in the new league, but also able to do it while having and upholding high standards.

“When the student athletes in the programs and the new ones coming in know what is expected of them as far as competition, commitment, rivalries and sportsmanship, it is easier to teach those values during the year.

The NIAA, the nonprofit governing body of high school sports in Nevada, began the award program in 2001. The scoring system awards points to member schools based on their varsity teams’ performances in the classroom, at the athletic venue and in the Citizenship Through Sports program.

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.

“We are very proud to have won this award for a fourth straight time,” said Principal Kent Roberts, who is finishing his second year at the school. “It is a reflection of the tremendous talents of out student-athletes, their parents, our teachers and coaches all year long.

“We strive to provide all of our students with the best possible experience in the classroom and in competitive arena while instilling the values of scholarship, teamwork, discipline and perseverance. This award signifies that we are being successful.”

Spirit and student council/leadership points were added after the winter season’s conclusion. Points were deducted at the spring season’s conclusion for ejections and other unsportsmanlike acts.

This past school year, Boulder City did have one athlete ejected from an event and was deducted points, Quintero said. There were also a few technical fouls but they do not count for loss of points. The Eagles had no deductions the previous school year.

“The credit belongs to the coaching staff that we have here,” Quintero said. “They are the ones teaching the right things every day in practice and at contests.”

The NIAA honors the winning school in each division by presenting it with a championship banner and commemorative trophy.

Boulder City’s effort of 3,103 points this school year ranks No. 8 on the list of record point totals in their division. The record is owned by Faith Lutheran which scored 3,360 points in 2009. But Boulder City dominates the Top 10 all-time point totals. The Eagles also are second (3,354 points in 2012), third (3,330 in 2011), fourth (3,305 in 2005), sixth (3,200 in 2010), seventh (3,145 in 2007), eighth and 10th (3,085 in 2009).