Hood River News

By BEN MCCARTY

News staff writer

March 3, 2007

Several Hood River Valley High School sports teams received high academic honors on the Dairy Farmers of Oregon Academic All-State team.

HRVHS boys’ swimmers had the highest combined GPA among their 6A wrestling counterparts with a cumulative 3.72.

The Eagles wrestling team also had the highest GPA among 6A teams, tying with Tigard with a 3.46.

Girls’ basketball tied for fourth with Newberg with a GPA of 3.71.

Girls’ swimmers were fifth among 6A girls’ swimmers with a GPA of 3.68 while the HRVHS boys’ basketball team had the ninth highest GPA among 6A teams with a 3.41.

Phoenix High School girls’ swimming team had the highest GPA of any high school sports team in the state for the winter season, with a combined team GPA of 3.92.

“It’s a great thing,” Hood River Valley Athletic Director Brent Walsh said. “We pride ourselves on being students first and athletes second.”

Academic achievements for Hood River Valley High School student-athletes also include a 3.75 GPA by the boys’ cross country team in the fall.

Walsh said that less travel time from being in a conference with closer schools has allowed students to spend more time in the classroom.

“You also have to give a lot of credit to the teachers and parents,” he said. “We’re very proud of our kids.”