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The UIL Lone Star Cup has released their final official rankings for the 2022-23 athletic school year. The Lone Star Cup is given to the school that has the highest amount of UIL success from different UIL programs and sports. Points were allocated based on a team’s placement in competition for arts and intellectual competitions, while points allocated to sports were based on playoff performance. After a strong year for Columbus with several teams getting deep runs in their respective postseasons, they finished the year tied for sixth place with Wall High School with a cup score of 59.
Columbus had several high-earning sports teams that helped them claim a top placement in the Lone Star Cup. The Lady Cards contributed significantly to their total score as two separate teams of Lady Cards earned 14 points to the cup total after reaching the state semifinal in their respective seasons. The Lady Cards’ volleyball team got things started for Columbus, picking up one of their best seasons ever on the way to a second straight semifinal appearance in the postseason. After dominating the regular season, the Lady Cards found ways to continue their strong play against stiff competition in the playoffs. With many of the players returning this upcoming year, there is an opportunity for repeated success in volleyball.
The Lady Cards added another 14 points to the cup total with their performance during basketball season. After a year in which many expected them to have a deep postseason run that ended in the first round, the Lady Cards fully reached their potential in the following season this year as they turned in one of the best 2-year stretches of any sport at Columbus. This time, they found much more success in the postseason as they played all the way to the state semifinal game as well before falling to the eventual state champions.
The girls were not the only athletes earning points towards Columbus’ placement in the Lone Star standings as the boys also had some strong postseason performances. The Cards’ football team had a strong season and stood as one of the best teams in the state for a large part of the season. After taking just one loss in the regular season to Hitchcock, another one of the best teams in the state, Columbus had a stretch of impressive games during the playoffs as they had a competitive postseason run. The Cards made it to the fourth round of the postseason where they faced Franklin for what turned out to be one of the most competitive games of the season. Columbus fell just short in a hardfought game to the team that went on to win the state championship. By falling in the fourth round, the Cards earned eight points towards their Lone Star total.
The spring postseason sports also earned some points for Columbus in the cup. The baseball team earned eight points for their total after reaching the Regional Semifinals before falling in a tightly contested series to Santa Gertrudis. The girls earned six points after they fell in the Regional Quarterfinals in a one-off elimination game after being defeated by Jourdanton. Both teams made history for Columbus as they finished with their highest win totals in their respective program’s history.
The boys’ basketball team earned four points after taking a round one victory in the postseason, and both soccer teams contributed two points each for qualifying for the playoffs but falling short in the first round. The Columbus Cheerleading squad also secured a point in the cup total for their performance in competitive routine.
After finishing in the top 10 of the Lone Star UIL Cup, Columbus has made it clear that they have some of the best programs in the state. They will hope to repeat and improve on their finish as they enter next school year.
