BEHS named top athletic program in state in Class AAA

Girls' lax players earn all-state honors

Bishop England High School has captured The Carlisle Cup Award for the state’s top athletic program in Class AAA.

The award was named the Director’s Cup until last year. Despite the changing title, it’s been in the Bishops’ possession since the 2002-03 academic year, when the award was first presented.

The Bishops won eight state titles in this just completed academic year: volleyball, girls’ tennis, girls’ lacrosse, boys’ tennis, girls’ soccer, baseball, girls’ swimming, and boys’ golf.

While it was just another day at the office for the coaches and players, the 2018-19 academic year should be dynamic. This year’s haul of state championships gives the Bishops 143 state titles since the school opened its doors in 1915. The Bishops should be the first school in the state history to reach 150 state titles.

“It feels funny saying it, but it was a typical year,” BE athletic director Paul Runey said. “We are real fortunate. We had 655 students and over 400 participated in athletics. We had at least 100 students play two sports. You mix it all together and it comes out as success.”

The Carlisle Cup uses a points system to decide the winners. For example, teams earn 100 points for a state championship, 80 for runner-up, 60 for a third-place finish all the way down to 10 points for a 32nd-place finish in the state.

The Bishops always had the respect of foes when the school was located on Calhoun Street in downtown Charleston. But most of the teams struggled to find places not only to play games, but to simply practice.

The school moved to its Daniel island campus in time for the 1999-2000 academic year. Since then, the Bishops have won the majority of their state titles.

The volleyball team continues to receive national recognition for its accomplishments.

In November, the Bishops won their 18th straight consecutive state championship - a national record.

The baseball team, coached by Mike Darnell, repeated as state champions. The Bishops topped the 30-win total for the third time in school history, finishing with a 31-2 record. The Bishops baseball team arguably was the best in the state regardless of classification and produced its third Gatorade State Player of the year. Junior Geoffrey Gilbert was this year’s winner. He joined former professional baseball players Drew Meyer and Reese Havens as the school’s winners.

LACROSSE STARS

Bishop England’s Emma Pizzo was named the state’s Class AAAA Lacrosse Player of the Year by the South Carolina Lacrosse Coaches Association after leading the Bishops to another state title.

Pizzo, the state’s all-time leading scorer with 500 points (286 goals, 214 assists), has won the award three times. She was also named the Lower State Midfielder of the Year.

Teammate Grace Ann Carlson was named the Lower State Attacker of the Year for lacrosse while the Bishops’ Ginger Tompkins was the Lower State Defender of the Year. Carlson, an Academic All-American Athlete nominee, also won the West Point Leadership Award, an honor bestowed on a student who has demonstrated exceptional performance in academics, athletics, community service, leadership and moral character.

Pizzo, Tompkins and Carlson, were joined by teammates Annie Burton and Ava Ward as first team selections. Additionally, Carlson, Ward, Tompkins and teammate Morgan Roberts were selected to represent South Carolina in the Women’s National Lacrosse Tournament in Long Island, N.Y. held in late May.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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