Wells Fargo Conference Cup: Princeton is tops among Carolina 1-A schools

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 20, 2015 11:41 PM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

PRINCETON -- Princeton emerged the outright champion in softball and women's outdoor track and field, and earned a share of the league crown in women's soccer which led to winning the Wells Fargo Carolina 1-A Conference Cup competition for the 2014-15 academic year.

The Bulldogs, who finished runners-up in baseball, amassed 76 points -- seven more points than archrival Rosewood. The Eagles compiled 69 points, which included a league title in men's outdoor track and field.

"The Bible says 'iron sharpens iron," PHS athletics director Marty Gurganus said. "We know that we have to give a hundred percent every time we compete with the schools that make up the Carolina 1-A Conference.

"Playing against the teams in our conference makes you better. As an athletic director, I am very blessed to work with a great coaching staff who coaches our student-athletes the right way. We feel very fortunate and grateful to be the Wells Fargo Conference Cup champion for this year."

Lakewood ended up third with 62 points. Hobbton collected 53 points, followed by Spring Creek and James Kenan with 42 points apiece. North Duplin and Neuse Charter rounded out the seven-team league with 31 and 13 points, respectively.

Spring Creek won its first regular-season baseball championship since 2004 and just the second overall in program history. The Gators claimed the Carolina Conference women's soccer championship.

North Duplin won the N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A state softball title -- the first by any girls' sport in program history. It's just the third state crown claimed by the Rebels -- football in 1972 and boys' basketball in 1989 -- squad during the school's six-decade existence.

Goldsboro placed fourth overall with 42.5 points in the Eastern Carolina 2-A Conference Cup chase. North Lenoir secured the Cup with championship performances in baseball and men's tennis.

Charles B. Aycock emerged as the top 3-A school in the split Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A Conference. The Golden Falcons picked up 75 points. County foes Eastern Wayne and Southern Wayne scored 61.5 and 35.5 points, respectively.

"Very pleased," CBA athletics director Charles Davis said. "Competing in our conference is tough. (We're) very proud of our coaches and athletes."

Davis guided the Golden Falcons to a runner-up effort in the 2015 NCHSAA 3-A baseball championship series. It was Aycock's third appearance in the state finals since 2007 and fourth overall since 1974.

The Wells Fargo Conference Cup recognizes schools with the best overall interscholastic athletic performances within individual conferences. Wachovia -- and now Wells Fargo -- has sponsored the conference awards program since 1980.

In most conferences, points are awarded based on participation and standings in conference play. Each conference determines its own scoring system.

NCISAA 1-A

Wayne Country Day placed a program-best fourth overall in the Wells Fargo Cup competition on the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A scene.

The Chargers amassed a school-record 312.5 points that included the program's second straight state title in women's tennis, and a semifinal-round appearance in men's tennis.

Five teams -- men's basketball, women's soccer, men's soccer, men's golf and men's outdoor track and field -- each reached the elite eight in their respective state tournaments.

"Over 90 percent of our high school students played at least one sport this year," WCDS athletics director Michael Taylor said. "I am extremely proud of our student-athletes and coaches for all of their hard work that they have put in this year.

"Next year looks to be a great year. (And) I think within the next two or three years, we can win the Cup. That has been a goal of mine when I took over this (athletic) program 10 years ago. We are getting to the point now where we can field more teams and they are very competitive."

Wayne Christian ended up tied for 17th with Durham Cresset Christian with 77.5 points. The Eagles' baseball team reached the final four for the first time since 2010.