By Thomas Grant Jr.
Both Chapin and Lexington high schools produced two state champions this past school year.
Their strong showings overalls in athletics helped the two Lexington County schools place in the Top Five of the 2023-24 Carlisle Cup for Class 5A.
Conducted by the South Carolina Athletic Administrators Association and renamed after the longtime Eastside athletics director John Carlisle, the cup is awarded to a school in each classification which demonstrates the highest level of athletic success through the school year.
The winner is tabulated through a system which awards points to schools based on their finish in 23 boys’ and girls’ S.C. High School League sports.
Chapin added to its state record of competitive cheer titles in October and claimed a second state title in girls’ lacrosse during the spring.
Lexington finished a close second behind Dorman for Class 5A. The Wildcats won their third state title in boys basketball in March and the baseball team completed an 8-0 playoff run to win a seventh championship.
The athletics program also placed second in competitive cheer, girls’ cross-country, and softball.
“We have an amazing athletic department at Lexington with as good of coaches leading our kids as any in the state,” Lexington head football coach and athletics director Dustin Curtis said. “We also pride ourselves in our kids being in weight room, no matter the sport and Trevor Hutson does a great job getting our kids physically ready as well. “Two state champions and three runner up finishes in 5A is certainly something for our school and community to be proud of.”
CLASS 5A CARLISLE CUP 2023-24 FINAL TOP 10 STANDINGS
1. Dorman – 930
2. Lexington – 910
3. Fort Mill – 900
4. Chapin – 890
5. Wando – 870
6 (tie). J.L. Mann & Summerville – 720
8. Nation Fork – 680
9. Mauldin – 620
10. T.L. Hanna – 600
12 (tie). River Bluff & Carolina Forest – 540
15. Dutch Fork – 490
35. White Knoll – 200
