Awards of Excellence winners announced in Nevada

Sierra Lutheran (Class 1A), The Meadows (2A), Boulder City (3A) and Reno and Palo Verde (4A- tie) are the NIAA’s winners for the Award of Excellence in Academics, Athletics and Citizenship for the 2016-2017 school year, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association announced in a news release.

The NIAA began the award program in 2001. The scoring system awards points to member schools based on their varsity teams’ performances in the classrooms, at the sport venues and in the citizenship through sports initiative.

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.

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

The NIAA honors the winning school in each classification by presenting it with a championship banner and commemorative trophy. The NIAA office staff, Board of Control members/liaisons and member schools consider the Award of Excellence to be Nevada’s top overall sports competition.

Sierra Lutheran captured its first award championship this year. The Falcons scored 1,870 points. Pahranagat Valley (1,645) placed second, Wells (1,400) finished third and Whittell (1,290) was fourth.

The Meadows captured its fourth consecutive and ninth title overall. The Mustangs recorded 2,641 points. North Tahoe (1,900), Yerington (1,783), Needles (1,445), Lincoln County (1,390) and Incline (1,200) rounded out the top six places.

Boulder City made it back-to-back banner years. The Eagles tallied 3,386 points, winning their eighth award overall. Truckee (2,165), Virgin Valley (1,985), Pahrump Valley (1,915), Spring Creek (1,720), Moapa Valley (1,585) and South Tahoe (1,580) completed the top seven finishers.

Reno took home its third title overall, Palo Verde its sixth. The Huskies and Panthers scored 3,540 points each. Bishop Manogue (3,135), Faith Lutheran (2,740), Douglas (2,495), Centennial (2,465), Galena (2,150) and Bishop Gorman (2,100) rounded out the top eight finishers.

For more information about the NIAA’s Award of Excellence in Academics, Athletics and Citizenship program, contact Donnie Nelson at 775-453-1012.

Contact sports editor Vern Hee at vhee@pvtimes.com