For the first time in recent school history, Asheville School earned runner up for the 2018-2019 3A NCISAA Wells Fargo Cup.
The North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association awards this cup each year in recognition of overall excellence in high school athletics of member institutions. The schools earn points for their teams’ performances throughout the year, and the cup is presented to the institution with the best overall athletic program.
The Blues were no. 2 out of 21 member schools in the 3A category, narrowly behind this year’s winner, Forsyth Country Day School.
Asheville School Athletic Director Carl Boland says the Blues’ stellar year is thanks to the dedication of athletes and coaches. “I am confident that much of our recent success has been the result of several internal initiatives to improve our competitiveness and enhance the student-athlete experience,” he said.
“These initiatives include the recent development of a comprehensive strength and conditioning program and a proactive effort to attract and retain high quality coaches and scholar-athletes. We have been able to make scheduling adjustments to afford our programs additional flexibility to develop skill and compete at a higher level.”
This year, 17 of the Blues’ 19 varsity teams qualified for and participated in NCISAA State Playoffs.
Asheville School earned two state championships in both Boys and Girls Swimming. These championships marked the school’s first state titles since 2006, and they were the 24th and 25th titles in Asheville School’s history.
In Football, the Blues earned a runner-up finish, playing in the state championship game for the first time in recent years.
Girls Cross Country earned a third-place finish in the state championships, and Girls Tennis and Boys Lacrosse both made semi-final appearances in their respective state tournaments.
The Blues also took home four conference championships in Girls Tennis, Girls and Boys Swimming and Girls Soccer.
To learn more about athletics at Asheville School, go to www.ashevilleschool.org/athletics.