All three BPS comprehensive high schools in top 10 for prestigious WIAA award, Sehome wins first in state

We’re having a little déjà vu here –  

In a repeat from 2022, 2023, and 2024, Sehome High School (1st), Bellingham High School (5th) and Squalicum High School (9th) all placed in the top 10 of the statewide Scholastic Cup standings of the more than 60 2A classification schools.  

This marks four consecutive years with all three BPS comprehensive high schools in the top ten, and the eleventh time Sehome has been No. 1.   

“I love this award because it recognizes the collective activities of all our varsity athletes,” Sehome athletic and activities director Colin Cushman said. “It highlights both athletic and academic achievements at the team level. We’re incredibly proud of our student-athletes and coaches for everything they accomplished this year.” 

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Scholastic Cup awards are based on three factors: state athletic competition results, team academic performance results, and sportsmanship.  

“The Scholastic Cup is the WIAA’s most prestigious annual award, recognizing performance in the classroom as well as on the playing surface,” according to the WIAA website.  

These top-10 standings represent the hard work of hundreds, if not thousands, of our student-athletes. Across our three high schools, 21 teams’ state competition results and 40 teams’ academic performance results contributed, and all three schools earned the sportsmanship points.  

“The Scholastic Cup standings, and the consistent appearance of our schools in them, show the strong partnerships between our coaches, athletic staff, academic staff and student-athletes,” James Hayes, director of athletics and activities, said. “To me, this defines the power of high expectations in competition and in the classroom, the strong support from our community and school district for levy-funded athletics programs, and the dedication of our athletes to excel as well-rounded people.” 

BPS high schools have charted notable statistics in the Scholastic Cup standings. Sehome is now an 11-time Scholastic Cup champion and Squalicum is a one-time champion. There have been 30 combined top-five finishes among the Mariners (14), Bayhawks (11) and Storm (5) in the award’s history. 

The scoring programs included 12 state champion titles, counting both academic and athletic honors. 

Sehome won 2024-25 state athletic titles girls cross country, boys cross country, boys tennis, girls track & field. Academic state champion titles were claimed by Sehome (boys cross country, football, boys golf, boys soccer, girls soccer, boys track & field and girls track & field) and Squalicum (girls golf). Many other BPS programs placed among the top five, including three state runner-up placements. 

To see full results for this year’s Scholastic Cup: 

 https://www.wiaa.com/scholasticcup/