A traditional powerhouse school led the way as three schools reclaimed top honors in the 2011-12 Wells Fargo Cup race for year-long success. In Group A Madison County captured its 16th consecutive title, while in Group AA Harrisonburg and Group AAA Westfield also defended Cup titles.

Madison County now has 18 Cups earned over a 19-year period, while Harrisonburg claimed its second title and Westfield returned to the top spot for the third straight year winning its fourth Cup in six years.

First awarded in 1990, the Wells Fargo Cup represents 23 years of excellence. Six cups are presented, one for academic activities and one for athletics in each of VHSL’s three enrollment classifications. The winners for athletics will be announced in June, following the completion of spring championships.

Winners of the Wells Fargo Cup are determined by a point system based on performance in VHSL state competitions. Schools can earn academic activity points for outstanding participation in scholastic bowl, creative writing, theatre, forensics, debate, newspaper, yearbook and magazine. Complete standings are enclosed.

For the five activities involving team champions — scholastic bowl, creative writing, debate, theatre and forensics — points are awarded on the following basis: 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.

Scoring for publications is based on the ranking earned in the League’s evaluation service: Trophy Class, 35; First Place, 20; Second Place, 5.

Madison County (110) once again claimed the top spot in Group A finishing five points ahead of second-place Radford (105). Madison students claimed a first place finish in forensics, to go along with Trophy Class in yearbook, while taking home points in magazine and news magazine. Radford scored points in scholastic bowl, theatre, creative writing, yearbook, newspaper and magazine. Rounding out the top five were Central-Wise (72.5), Nelson County (70) and James River-Buchanan and Randolph-Henry with 65 points.

In Group AA, Harrisonburg (220) defended its Cup title finishing 35 points ahead of runner-up Salem-Salem (185). Harrisonburg tallied its bulk of points thanks to a first place finish in debate and a second place finish in theatre, to go along with Trophy Class finishes in yearbook, newspaper and magazine, while also picking up points in creative writing. Salem, took home state title honors in forensics, along with Trophy Class finishes in yearbook and magazine, while adding additional points in creative writing and theatre. Loudoun County came in third (135), while Lafayette (130) finished fourth, with Sherando (120) holding down fifth place.

Westfield won its third straight Group AAA Cup scoring 205 points, 12.5 points over second place Osbourn Park (192.5). Westfield’s points came from first-place finishes in creative writing and theatre, along with Trophy Class in magazine, newspaper and yearbook. Osbourn Park earned points for a second place finish in forensics along with Trophy Class points in magazine, newspaper and yearbook, while picking up additional points in creative writing and scholastic bowl. Thomas Jefferson S&T (160), Ten-time Cup champion Chantilly (157.5) and Stafford (145) rounded out the top five.