Kennedy Wins Class 4A Challenge Cup

In order to win the Bank Iowa Traveling Challenge Cup, a school needs to excel in several areas - athletics, arts, and academics.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy did it all to win the 2013-14 Class 4A Challenge Cup, the first Metro school to do so in the 8-year history of the award.

'This award is a reflection of what we've done, and always valued,” Kennedy activities director Aaron Stecker said. 'It's nice to have validation this year.”

The Cup is like the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup - given to the top college athletic programs in the country - but adds in music, arts and academics. It is sponsored by the IHSAA, IGHSAU, IHSMA and IHSSA.

Among the 4A schools in the Cedar Rapids/Marion area, none had placed in the Top 5 in any year since the competition began in 2008. Kennedy's previous best finish had been 15th in 2011.

'We had a good year with multiple teams making it to state, and our fine arts groups had a really good year,” Stecker said. 'The other part is you have to submit academic information, and we haven't consistently done that.”

Grade-point information can be a big chunk of the total points award.

Schools are awarded points in athletics for advancing in district or regional play, and given bonus points for state tournament play. Each team can also earn 25 points - whether they have a good postseason or not - by having a strong grade-point average.

The IHSSA awards points for Large Group Speech, Individual Speech and Debate. The IHSMA awards points for Large Group Music Contest, the All-State Music Festival, and Solo/Small Ensemble Festival. There are bonuses for having outstanding individuals at those events, as well.

'The award is well deserved by Kennedy,” Cedar Rapids superintendent David Benson said. 'It is an outstanding school with a great staff and students.”

Kennedy was presented a crystal challenge cup, now on display at the high school, as well as $1,750. Stecker said the money would be used for scholarships to 'help fund some kids to go to seminars to continue to foster and develop leadership.”

Now that Kennedy has broken the ice on its first Cup, Stecker is eager to get another.

'It means you are the best co-curricular, best Class 4A school in the state,” Stecker said. 'The kids are starting to understand ... it's a pretty cool deal.”

Kennedy won the Cup by just 10 points over Waukee. Urbandale was third followed by Southeast Polk, Pleasant Valley, Ankeny, Bettendorf, Ames and Davenport Central.

'As a school, we placed a priority on this as something we want to be competing for,” Stecker said. 'We made it a higher priority so we could earn all the points we could.

'It's something we take a lot of pride in.”

l Comments: (319) 398-8235; ryan.suchomel@thegazette.com

Kennedy Cup history

2014 - 1st place, 1280 points

2013 - 30th, 505.

2012 - 22nd, 520.

2011 - 15th, 680.

2010 - 20th, 590.

2009 - 25th, 330.

2008 - 19th, 475.5.

Past 4A winners

2014 - Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

2013 - Pleasant Valley.

2012 - Iowa City West.

2011 - Iowa City West.

2010 - Ankeny.

2009 - Ames.

2008 - Iowa City West.