Irvine High School’s student-athletes aren’t just getting it done on the court and on the field. They’re also making the grade in the classroom.
The CIF Southern Section has once again announced the winners of its annual Academic Awards program, honoring sports teams that boast the highest grade-point averages, and 18 of IHS’s 22 eligible teams were recognized for combined GPAs of at least 3.0.
In fact, boys soccer at Irvine High earned first place among Southern Section soccer teams from larger schools, earning a GPA of 3.59. Four other Irvine High teams ranked in the top 10 for their respective sports, with the IHS girls golf team (3.68) placing fourth, the girls basketball team (3.67) and boys golf team (3.57) each placing fifth, and the girls swim team (3.65) ranking eighth.
Again, these awards are based on the combined grade-point averages of each team's players, and the squads had to post a collective GPA of at least 3.0 during the first half of the year to be considered. CIF officials say they received nearly 1,600 entries, which were divided into two categories, separating schools with 1,500 or more students from those with 1,499 or fewer.
"We are extremely proud of our programs," Irvine High Principal Monica Colunga said this week. "This recognition highlights the hard work of our coaching staff, teaching staff and students, and it reinforces our commitment to the concept and importance of being a student-athlete."
This year’s CIF Academic Awards program was sponsored by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Ford. The winners are set to be honored during a pregame ceremony before an Angels home game on April 24.