A record-setting school year for Westlake’s athletic department won’t be enough to dethrone The Woodlands from its spot atop the Lone Star Cup standings.

Based on the current standings, Westlake will finish the Class 5A competition with 94 points, which will be the school’s highest total since the UIL created the competition in 1997.

The Woodlands will tally 100 points to claim its third consecutive Lone Star Cup and fourth in school history.

The Woodlands currently has 88 points, while Westlake has 86 points. The UIL will release its final update June 18, which will include results from the baseball and softball seasons.

According to the competition’s scoring, The Woodlands will pick up two points from its baseball team and 10 points from softball team. Westlake garnered two points from its playoff-qualifying softball team and six points from its baseball team, which won District 25-5A and reached the second round of the playoffs.

Westlake’s total will top the school’s previous best mark of 90 set in 2007 and 2009, and it provides a particularly rewarding end to athletic director Darren Allman’s first year in the Eanes school district.

“The special year is a result of a lot of committed student athletes and coaches,” he said. “Our athletes are very competitive, and they expect to win championships. Our coaches are committed to supporting the total athletic program, and I think we have the best coaching staff in Texas.

“Our success is also the result of an administration that values athletics as a part of the total education in Eanes.”

Allman also said Westlake’s showing in the competition confirmed one of the reasons for moving to the Westlake. When Allman accepted the offer to serve as the Eanes athletic director and Westlake’s head football coach last year, he specifically cited the school’s ability to compete for Lone Star Cup titles as an enticement.

“The success that we have had across the board is what makes this place really special,” he said. “It is very difficult to excel in the majority of sports on a regular basis. Westlake is a great place to compete and a great place to coach.”

Since its inception 13 years ago, the Lone Star Cup has provided the state’s only comprehensive measurement of a high school’s cumulative success in athletics, academics and other extracurricular activities. The competition awards points based on district titles and playoff success in all UIL-sanctioned sports. In 2009-10, the Class 5A competition also compiles results from the state academic meet and the one-act play contest.

State-tournament showings by Westlake’s volleyball, swimming, boys soccer and golf teams – including a state title by both Chaps’ boys and girls golf squads – helped the school finish with its most points in school history. In addition, the Chaps’ football team reached the state championship game.

Tennis player Russell Bader won the Class 5A boys singles title at the spring state tournament, but the UIL only recognizes the fall’s team tennis season when compiling points for tennis.

With its top-10 finish, Westlake added to its status as one of the state’s most successful programs. The school has finished in the top 10 since the competition’s inception and won the 2002 Lone Star Cup with 84 points.

Humble Kingwood is currently a distant third with 68 points, while Southlake Carroll is fourth with 60 points. Katy Cinco Ranch (48 points), Flower Mound Marcus (47), Houston Bellaire (42), Allen (40) and Katy Seven Lakes (40) complete the top nine. DeSoto, Houston Clear Lake, Cypress Woods, Katy and Round Rock Westwood are currently tied for 10th with 38 points.

A decade of dedication

Westlake has finished in the top 10 in the UIL’s Lone Star Cup competition every year in the past decade.

Year points place
2000-01 64 4th
2001-02 84 1st
2002-03 62 6th
2003-04 73 4th
2004-05 72 4th
2005-06 71 4th
2006-07 90 3rd
2007-08 62 7th
2008-09 90 2nd
*2009-10 94 2nd

Past Class 5A winners

Year school
1997-98 San Antonio Churchill
1998-99 Humble Kingwood
1999-00 San Antonio Churchill
2000-01 Humble Kingwood
2001-02 Westlake
2002-03 Humble Kingwood
2003-04 Humble Kingwood
2004-05 Humble Kingwood
2005-06 The Woodlands
2006-07 Plano West
2007-08 The Woodlands
2008-09 The Woodlands
*2009-10 The Woodlands

* Projected