Athletes' academic performance helps Saxons shine

When the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association began its Scholastic Cup competition a couple years ago, little did it know the value schools would put on it.

"We take a great deal of pride in the Scholastic Cup in particular because it's representative of not only athletic achievement, but academic achievement and sportsmanship," said Ferris High School Athletic Director Ken Russell.

Russell has reason to be proud of his school, too.

Going into last week's spring sports state championships, the Saxons were tied for second place in the state for 4A schools with 700 points, trailing first-place Mead by just 10 points.

The final results of the Scholastic Cup will be released on the WIAA Web site (www.wiaa.com) today.

The Spokesman-Review will report the results in Friday's Sports section.

"When you score that high, it's a reflection that your teams are winning some state academic championships with the highest grade- point averages," he said.

"It's a reflection that your teams are moving on to the state level of athletic competition and doing well, and it's a sign that your teams are not getting ejected a lot.

"So we're really proud of that particular award."

In the Scholastic Cup, points are awarded on a scale for how teams finish at the state competitions and for the highest team grade- point averages.

Points are deducted for player and coach ejections during the season.

In the football points system, for example, 100 points are given to the state champion, 80 points to the state runner-up, 50 points for a semifinal elimination, 35 for a quarterfinal elimination, and 20 for a state first-round elimination.

Each sport has its own scoring system.

The Saxons scored 60 points for finishing third at state in boys cross country and 40 points for their sixth-place finish in girls gymnastics. Points also are given for academic performance for each athletic team, as well as for other activities such as band, cheerleading, dance, drama, and orchestra.

Ferris accumulated academic points in about 10 activities, led by its band and football team scoring 100 points each for being the top academic teams in the state. The Saxons have found a tradition of excellence makes a major impact on their program.

"Students come into Ferris, and they know we've been successful, and so they want to continue that tradition," said Russell. "There's an attitude, a positive spirit about it.

"You have to have good coaches, stability in the programs, experience and enthusiasm in your relationships with the kids. That's a big part of it.

"We have a big community support for athletics. Our parents feel athletics is an extension of the classroom, and it helps kids make a positive connection to school," he said.

Assistant Principal Bob Crabb also credits Ferris families.

"Our community is very strong and very supportive," he said. "We have a great group of kids here, and that's a tradition that gets them going.

"The kids come in and see a pattern set by their predecessors.

"And we're very fortunate to have a very strong staff," Crabb said. "I've been in every job interview here for the past seven years, and I don't think I could get a job here - and I do the hiring!" Crabb said.

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